Benedict & the Psalter
Prayer Corner · A Daily Rhythm

Benedict & the Psalter

The Rule of St Benedict and the psalms, in their yearly cycles
Friday, October 16, 2026

“Stay teachable: let someone you trust speak into your life with real authority.”

Tools for Good Works · Tool 60

Benedict's Rule

Read aloud from a public-domain recording (LibriVox) of an older translation — the spoken wording differs from the text below.

Chapter 13: How the Morning Office Is to Be Said on Weekdays (1/2)

On weekdays the Morning Office shall be celebrated as follows. Let Psalm 66 be said without an antiphon and somewhat slowly, as on Sunday, in order that all may be in time for Psalm 50, which is to be said with an antiphon. After that let two other Psalms be said according to custom, namely: on Monday Psalms 5 and 35, on Tuesday Psalms 42 and 56, on Wednesday Psalms 63 and 64, on Thursday Psalms 87 and 89, on Friday Psalms 75 and 91, and on Saturday Psalm 142 and the canticle from Deuteronomy, which is to be divided into two sections each terminated by a “Glory be to the Father.” But on the other days let there be a canticle from the Prophets, each on its own day as chanted by the Roman Church. Next follow the Psalms of praise, then a lesson of the Apostle to be recited from memory, the responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, the verse, the canticle from the Gospel book, the litany, and so the end.

The whole Rule, by chapter →

Psalm of the Day

Psalm 64Exaudi, Deus

1Hear my voice, O God, when I complain; *protect my life from fear of the enemy.

2Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, *from the mob of evildoers.

3They sharpen their tongue like a sword, *and aim their bitter words like arrows,

4That they may shoot down the blameless from ambush; *they shoot without warning and are not afraid.

5They hold fast to their evil course; *they plan how they may hide their snares.

6They say, “Who will see us? who will find out our crimes? *we have thought out a perfect plot.”

7The human mind and heart are a mystery; *but God will loose an arrow at them, and suddenly they will be wounded.

8He will make them trip over their tongues, *and all who see them will shake their heads.

9Everyone will stand in awe and declare God’s deeds; *they will recognize his works.

10The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and put their trust in him, *and all who are true of heart will glory.